Oklahoma building code

Oklahoma has adopted 2018 IBC. The table below lists the governing edition for every discipline a plan check touches, followed by the Oklahoma cities and counties that amend it locally.

Current edition
2018 I-codes (IBC/IRC/IMC/IPC/IFC/IFGC/IEBC, effective 2021-2022) + 2023 NEC (effective 2024-09-14), adopted by reference with Oklahoma amendments
Prior edition
2015 I-codes (effective 2015-11-01); 2020 NEC (effective 2022-09-14)
Code authority
Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission (OUBCC)

Edition changeover: Projects with a complete application on or before 2021-09-14 (most 2015 I-codes; IRC until 2022-09-14; 2020 NEC until 2024-09-14) may still be reviewed under the 2015 I-codes (effective 2015-11-01); 2020 NEC (effective 2022-09-14).

Adopted code by discipline

Adopted code editions and local amendments by discipline
DisciplineAdopted codeLocal amendment
Building2018 IBCn/a
Residential2018 IRCn/a
Existing buildings2018 IEBCn/a
Fire2018 IFCn/a
Electrical2023 NEC based on 2023 NEC (NFPA 70)n/a
Mechanical2018 IMCn/a
Plumbing2018 IPCn/a
Energy2018 (residential, via amended IRC Ch.11); 2006 (commercial, per secondary sources) IRC Ch.11 (residential) / IECC (commercial) based on 2018 IRC Chapter 11 as amended by OUBCC; 2006 IECC commercialn/a
Fuel Gas2018 IFGCn/a

Overlays that can apply

Mapped hazard and district overlays stack on top of the adopted code. These are the overlays recorded for Oklahoma. They apply by parcel, not jurisdiction-wide, so confirm the parcel before assuming one is in play. Check CAL FIRE's fire hazard severity viewer and FEMA's flood map service.

  • FEMA mapped flood hazard area

Sources

Common questions

What building code does Oklahoma use?

Oklahoma uses 2018 IBC. It is administered by the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission (OUBCC). The prior edition was 2015 I-codes (effective 2015-11-01); 2020 NEC (effective 2022-09-14).

Do cities in Oklahoma amend the state code?

Local amendments are adopted by ordinance at the city or county level. Confirm with the building department that reviews your permit.

Which edition applies to a permit already in review in Oklahoma?

Projects with a complete application on or before 2021-09-14 (most 2015 I-codes; IRC until 2022-09-14; 2020 NEC until 2024-09-14) may still be reviewed under the 2015 I-codes (effective 2015-11-01); 2020 NEC (effective 2022-09-14).

Check a plan set against Oklahoma code

Knowing the adopted edition is the easy half. Architechtura reads your drawings, resolves which of these provisions actually apply to the project, and returns the corrections a plan checker would write up, each one cited to the section it came from.

Your first check is free, no card required.

Compiled from published state and municipal adoption ordinances. Local governments amend their codes on their own schedule, and a pending ordinance can change what applies to your permit. Confirm the governing edition with the building department before you submit. This page is reference information, not a code determination.